DESPERATE to offload their reputation as the NRL's most undisciplined team, the Newcastle Knights have wasted no time in familiarising themselves with the new dual-referee system.
NRL officials confirmed last Thursday that they would proceed next season with the introduction of a second on-field official in all matches one of the greatest single changes in the code's 100-year history.
And on Saturday the Knights hosted top-grade referee Gavin Badger and touch judge Brett Suttor at their Mayfield training base for an information session with players and coaching staff.
Knights coach Brian Smith said yesterday that the two whistle-blowers held clinics with four groups of players and described the interaction as "very profitable and enlightening".
"They actually went over everything four times with separate groups of players, which was very obliging of them," Smith said.
"They were very precise and good at explaining things. We did some game simulation and opposed-type stuff and it worked really well.
"We've invited them back again in January and then also in February, after we've actually played some trial games and have a better understanding of the pros and cons of the two-referee system."
The Knights finished one win out of the play-offs last season and Smith acknowledged that improving their penalty statistics would be a "high priority" in 2009.
In 24 games, the Knights won the penalty count only four times. They conceded more penalties (181) than any other team and were equal last with Penrith in terms of penalties awarded in their favour (134).
That left the Knights with a penalty differential of minus 47, which was easily the worst in the NRL.
"That was probably the obvious thing that cost us last season, when you consider the narrow space between us making the play-offs and missing out," Smith said.
"Finishing on the wrong end of the two penalty tables for and against was definitely a factor. We're going to do everything we possibly can to rectify that next season."
Smith said "the level of inexperience in our team" was one reason Newcastle were offside with the referees last season, as well as a lack of attention to detail.
He said the onus would be on all teams next year to clean up their act because there will be an extra pair of eyes on the field looking for infringements.
One referee will police the play-the-ball area and the other will be positioned on the 10-metre defensive line.
The main referee will be the 10m official, who will use the whistle to call stoppages or penalties.
The second referee will communicate directly with the referee who has the whistle. The referees will alternate roles during a match.
Smith said players would need to be squeaky clean next season or they would be twice as likely to concede penalties.
"I'm convinced that the speed of the ruck will really increase next season," Smith said. "I suppose that will depend on the attitude of the refs and how keen they are to enforce it.
"But just from our drills yesterday, you could just see that the observation skills have improved. With a second ref, it gives a different perspective.
"There will be an onus on clearing the ruck quickly and also getting back 10 metres.
"Hopefully with the ruck being policed and a more consistent 10 metres, we should get a quicker game all-round, I'd expect."
INSTRUCTIONAL: Knights players train with two NRL referees at Balance Oval on Saturday.- Picture by Simone De Peak 
So Ill be cheering hard.